Essay Research / Argument/Persuasion

"It is not too much to say that argument is a civilizing influence, the very basis of democratic order . . . in free societies, argument and debate remain the preeminent means oC arriving at consensus." by Annette Rottenberg

ESSAY ASSIGNMENT

In this essay project, you'll build on your foundation of skills (critical reading, summarizing, analyzing, evaluating, organizing, developing, and using examples) to support your position. In an essay of 1,300 - 1,500 words, develop a clear position on a controversial issue of your choice and persuade your audience to accept that position. You'll assert your position in a clear thesis and develop your position through your own analysis. You'll support your analysis not only with your own observations and experiences, but also with what other scholars have written (these are your sources). The sources in this essay will come from your researching your topic. In your essay, you must use and acknowledge at least three authoritative sources.

For a successful Persuasive Essay, you'll want to:

1. Choose a topic that

o Interests you and that causes genuine controversy.

o Focuses and defines your issue. For this assignment, the more focused your topic, the more manageable your project, the more effective your essay.

2. State your position in a thesis statement early in your essay. Also, remember that your readers appreciate a forecast of main points, a statement that lists the points your essay will make in the order that they are presented.

3. Craft a well-organized essay. For persuasion, effective organization is essential. Once you've focused your thesis statement and developed sound research to support your position, put creative energy into how you plan to present your information.

4. Make sure that you have enough evidence (facts, reasons, statistics, testimony of experts, opinions, reports, examples, logical reasoning, analogy, etc.) to back up each of your claims and your position.

5. Keep an open mind as you develop your essay. Don't stick with a position simply because it is the one you started with. Allow yourself time for changing your mind.

6. Analyze your probable audience (which should be those people who would disagree with your position). Show sensitivity to your readers by making concessions to their points-of-view.

7. Show off your academic writing skills by employing TSIS templates from Chapters 1 - 10. Show off your documentation skills. Be sure that you integrate your sources by using lead-ins and in-text citations for paraphrases, summaries, or quotations where needed.

8. End with a formal "Works Cited" page that follows MLA guidelines.